Can-labeling machine.



C. W. BLACKSTONE.

CAN LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 24, 1910. RENEWED DEC. 21. I915.

Patented Jan. 18,

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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C. W. BLACKSTONE.

CAN LABELING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 24. 2910. RENEWED DEC. 21.1915.

Patented Jan. 18, 1916.

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5140c 14 Fox Witnesses: W wap it I fi z Ty C. W. B LACKSTONE.

CAN LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 24, 1910. RENEWED DEC-21.1.1115.

Patented Jan. 18, 1916.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4- 5 [@rfzmeMW/Wiw LVLt M cameo I TED STATES ATENTCLARENCE W. BLACKSTONE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIG-NOR, BY MESNEASSIGN- MENTS, T0 BURT MACHINE COMPANY, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ACORPORA- TION OF DELAWARE.

CAN-LABELING MACHINE.

Application filed May 24, 1910, Serial No. 563,179. Renewed December 21,1915. Serial No. 68,042.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CLARENCE W. BLACK- STONEcitizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cookand State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Can-Labeling Machines, of which the following is a specification,reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

The present invention relates to labeling machines of the characteradapted to apply, and afiix, to a can, box, or other package, a label,while the can or package is fed from the feed to the delivery end of themachine.

More particularly the invention has to deal with novel pastinginstrumentalities, whereby the label, when aflixed to the can or packagewill be practically devoid of the customary and objectionable wrinkles,and will fit smoothly around the engaged can.

It has been customary in the labeling machine art to apply paste orcement by means of belts, brushes, etc., either directly to the canbodyor the body of the label to be applied to said can body and ineither event, when applied, substantially the entire surface of thelabel would be coated. This manner of application has many advantagesbut is objectionable to a large extent, primarily because of thewrinkling of the applied label incident to the expansion thereof dueto-the dampening or moistening of the entire surface of the label. Ithas also been suggested to partly overcome this objection by applyingthe paste to the opposite ends only of the label, but the upper andlower edges of the label would be free, and this has provenobjectionable since it leaves the joint between the cap and body of thecan unsealed, and the contents of the can are not protected from outsideinfluences.

It may be said to be the primary object of the present invention toovercome the existing objections to coating the entire surface of thelabel, or substantially the entire surface thereof, and at the same timeto form, by the label a practically air tight joint between the cap ortop and the body of the can. With this end in view, the inventionincludes means whereby a label is pasted at that edge or portion thereofwhich overlies the joint between the cap and body of the can asdistinguished from coating the entire surface thereof.

More particularly the invention includes a can feed mechanism, pasteapplying instrumentalities for placing upon a portion of the can a bodyof paste extending entirely around the circumference thereof, means fortemporarily interrupting the travel of the can along the run way duringthe pasting operation, and novel releasing mechanlsm for said lastmentioned means whereby the can feed will continue and a label will bepicked up and applied and aflixed to the can. 7

One of the novel characteristics of the present construction resides inthe means for positioning and holding a can in position relative to thepaste applying instrumentalities, which, more particularly stated may besaid to reside in a stop or pocket arranged in the path of a fed can andadapted to be engaged by the can to firmly support the same 1n operativeposition and interrupting the travel thereof along the run way, whilepermitting the can to rotate relative to the paste applying mechanism,all of which will be more particularly referred to hereinafter.

Other improvements and novel details in the construction and arrangementof parts will be brought out in the description fol lowing which, for aclear understanding of the invention should be read in connection withthe accompanying drawings forming a part hereof and which, for thepurpose of illustration disclose a convenient and satisfactoryembodiment of the invention.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of the machine.Fig. 2 is a front end elevation. Fig. 3 is a vertical section along theline 33 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a detail View enlarged of the front ofthe machine toward the forward end, disclosing more particularly the cansupport for holding the can in position to be pasted, together withreleasing mechanism for said support. Fig. 5 is a detail view of thelatch or look for the can rest. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the canholder.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings wherein like referencenumerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views 1 isa base support-of any suitable material and construction and havingmounted thereon suitable frame work, conveniently metal, and adapted tosupport the operative parts of the machine. Longitudinally extendingsupports 2 resting upon bracket arms 3 and 3 of the supporting PatentedJ an. 18, 1916.

frame. have at or adjacent their respective ends bearing members 4 inwhich are mounted journals 5 and 5'? for front andrear ulleys 6 and 6respectively. The said pul eys 6 and 6* are conveniently grooved attheir peripheries as clearl indicated in Figs. 2 and 3 and are adaptedor the reception of belts 7, which conveniently take the form of a roundcross section. The walls of the peripheral grooves of the pulleys 6 and6" are conveniently oppositely inclined whereby is provided a wedgeengagement for the belts, thereby tending to prevent any slipping of thebelts relative to the pulleys. The belts 7 may be termed the feedingmechanism for the cans, since the same are adapted to engage theperipheral surface of the cans preferably adjacent opposite ends thereof'and impart forward turning movement to the cans along a run waypositioned beneath the belts, the said run way to be presentlydescribed.

Positioned upon the journal 5, but outside of the respective pulleys 6are relatively fiat circular disk members 8 of a diameter slightlygreater than the diameter of the pulleys for a purpose about to bedescribed.

A longitudinally extending inclined run way 9 projects beneath andforwardly of the disk members 8, the run way, which may be .termed adelivery run way being spaced from said disks a sufiicient distance topermit a can to roll downwardly along the run way and beneath the disk8. I

The feed runway is indicated by the numeral' 10 and at the forward endthereof projects downwardly a supporting bracket 11 which latterconstitutes a bearing for a tread or trip member 12 having an angleddownward extension 13 the tread member or trip being pivotally supportedto said bracket by the pintle or journal 14;. The normal position of thetrip or tread member 12 places the forward end thereof adjacent to thelower end of the delivery runway 9 with the body of the trip slightlyabove the lower end of said runway and having its end curved at.15 sovas to be engaged by the can as it leaves the runway 9.

Positioned below the runway 10 at a point adjacent the forward endthereof but spaced rearwardly of the trip member 15 is a pastereceptacle 16 of any desired construction,

5 medium of a belt 21 is driven by a pulley 22 mounted on the journal 5of the pulleys 6. The said from any suita le drive not shown.

The paste applying roller 18 is in the form of a relatively narrow diskand may have the usual yielding surface and is so positioned in thereceptacle that the periphery ulley 22 receives its power ing roller isconveniently adjustable upon the shaft 19, the same being held inadjusted positions by a suitable bolt or the like 24. In order that theopposite tracks of the run way 10 may afford a firm support for the canduring its feed therealong, the tracks or rails of the run way aresomewhat wide as clearly shown in the drawings, and that track adjacentto the paste receptacle is cut away immediately above the paste rollerat 25 whereby the periphery of the roller may play through said cut awayportion and constitute in effect a portion ofthe run way to contactdirectly with the joint between the cap and body of the can as clearlyillusand upon the-support 17 is a standard 26 having a transverselyextending aperture 27 adapted. for the reception of a shaft-28 theopposite ends of which shaft project beyond opposite sides of thestandard 26 and loosely fitted thereto forrocking movement are brackets29, which said brackets are substantially triangular in shape as shown.

Projecting between the brackets transversely of the run wayare rollersor idlers 30 the said rollers being connected at the opposite corners ofthe brackets 29 and form therebetween a pocket or seat for the receptionof acan and properly positioning the same relative-tothe pasting roll18.

It will'be seen that. normally therollers 30 occupy a position wherebythe periphery thereof projects above the upper surface of the run way10, and that portion of the run way forwardly of the rollers 30 has aninclined upper surface 10*" so as to guide the or supports for theroller 30 are mounted for swinging or rocking movement, a spring, 31 ofany desired construction secured at one end to the sliaft 28 at itsopposite end to the adjacent bracket 29 tending to impart swingingmovement to the bracket, and a stop for limiting said swingingmovementis provided by a projection 32 on the bracket 29 adapted to engage a lugor projection 33 of any desired construction on the run way 10.

Means are provided for locking the bracket members 29 in elevatedposition, so

as to prevent the can as it moves into con-' tact with the rearmostroller from swinging the same against the action of the spring 31downwardly, until a strip of paste has been applied to the can about itsentire circumference. This means comprises a locking member or latch 34adapted to engage a lug or projection 35 on one of the bracket members29, said latch being slidably mounted in a guide way 36 secured to thetrack of the run way which supports the bottom. or lower end of the can.The latch member 34 has a downward extending ear 37 which constitutesmeans for limiting the inward movement of the latch by contacting theend of the guide member 36, and also constitutes a bearing for a pintleor lug 38 secured to an elongatedarm 39 extending longitudinally of themachine and having a sliding engagement with a suitable bracket support40 projecting downwardly from the forward end of the runway.

Adjacent the end of the rod or arm 39 is a nut or collar 41 adjustablymounted in any desired manner and conveniently held in adjustedpositions by a suitable bolt 42. Positioned between the nut or sleeve 41and the support 40 and mounted upon said rod 39 is a suitable spring 43in the form of a spiral the action of which spring is to impart forwardmovement to the latch member 34 into contact with the stop 35 of thebracket member 29. From the description of the structure just referredto, it will be seen that the can when positioned in the pocket or recessformed between the rollers 30 will be in contact with the pasting roller'18 and will be held in such contact until the locking member or latch34 is released in a manner presently to be described, and the movementof the feed belts 7 will continue to impart rotary movement to the cans,the rollers 30 constituting antifriction bearings to permit of saidrotary movement while preventing rolling movement of the cans along therunway.

While the pasting, mechanism. is in the form of a roller it is obviousthat other paste applying mechanism may be employed, the essentialfeature being that the can is held in contact with the paste applyingmechanism a sufiicient interval to produce a pasted surface of limitedwidth entirely around the can.

The releasin mechanism for the latch 34 includes the trip member 12previously deconnection 14 and the downward extension 13 will impartthrough the buffer 44 longitudinal movement of the rod 39 and in turn tothe sliding latch 34 with the result that the only retaining means forholding the bracket elevated is the spring member 31 which will beovercome by the weight of the can under the action of the drive belts 7So soon as the can is released from the pocket formed by the rollers 30the same will continue in its rolling movement along the runway 10 andwill contact with a suitable pastmg roll or the equivalent thereof 45 ofany desired cpnstruction and mounted for rotary movement in any desiredmanner in the paste receptacle 46. The purpose of this pasting roller isto place a daub of paste on the body of the can extending longitudinally thereof and adapted to engage with the forward end of a labelpositioned in a label receptacle -47 of any of the desired forms. In thecontinued movement of the roller along the runway the label is woundaround or about the can, and the free or lap end of .the label mayreceive a coating of paste as is customary in labeling machines of thischaracter.

At the rear end of the machine is a yield able support 48 immediatelybelow the pul leys 6*, the latter exerting pressure on the can, so as toafliX the lap end of the label to thi can in a manner well understood inthe ar The operation of the machine may be briefly reviewed as follows:Any of the approved styles of spacing mechanism for the cans may beemployed, such for instance as illustrated in the co-pending applicationof Knapp and Blackstone Serial No. 479,292, the cans being fed from thespacing mechanism along the delivery runway 9 into contact with thepressure rollers or disks 8 and the forward end 15 of the trip member12. The rotation of the disks 8 imparts forward movement to the cans andat the same time presses the trip member downwardly about its pivotalconnection 14, the trip member 15 being held elevated by the rod 39through the medium of the spring 43, and when so elevated it will beappreciated that the space between the rollers or disks 8 and the tripmember 12 is less than the length of the diameter of the cans with theresult that the trip will be lowered as stated and the can moved by thedisk 8 along and the bracket 29 swung about its pivot against the actionof the spring 31 by the the runway 1t) into contact with the feed belts7 which latter continue the feed movement of the can along the inclinedsurface 10 of the runway and over theforemost roller 30 when the canwill contact with the rearmost roller 30 and rest m a pocket parted toboth the seated can and the pasting roll, a thin coating of paste isapplied entirely around the can at the..,]unct1on of the flange of the11d with the body, and

when so coated the pasted can is released by r the next succeeding canengaging the trip member 12 whereby the latch 34 is released foremostcan until the stop or rearmost roller 30 assumes a vposition below therunway 10 when the foremost can continues its a rolling movementimparted by the feed belts 7. As soon assaid foremost can passes beyondthe stop or rearmost roller 30 sa d roller will be lifted into posltionto contact with or stop a succeeding can, throughtthe medium of thespring 31, and the latch 34 thereupon moved into engagement with thestop 35 by the action of the spring 43 which at the same time moves thetrip member 12 into position to be engaged by a succeeding can. Thepasted can 1n its contlnued movement'receives a daubof paste whlchengages the foremost end ofa suitably supported label, which label iswound about the can, and the lap ends afiixed in any desired manner. Byreason of the fact that the runways j are of a width greater than thedepth of the top X of the can, it will be appreciated that the' belts 7will exert suflicient ressure to the cans as to firmly aflix the labeand cause the same to adhere to said pasted surface of the. can at thejunction of the top and body of the can, with the result that apractically air tight joint is formed between said top' and body. 1

Suitableguide pulleys 49 mounted in bearings in bracket members 50secured to the longitudinally extending supports 2 may be provided forengaging the belts 7 intermediate-their ends and holding the same in aposition whereby they Wlll at all times en-' gage the periphery of thecans and exert pressure thereto during the rolling action of the latter,with the resultthat the label will be firmly affixed at the jointbetween the top and body of the can. 0

A suitably supported belt tightener 51 of anydesired construction mayalso beprovided for taking up any play In the endless belt or driveconnection 21.

What I claim is:

1. In a'labeling machine, the combination of a guide or runway for a canor the llke,

means for feeding a can along the same,

stantially no obstructlon thereabove a apted to produce a pasted surfaceof limited width entirely around the'can' at the junction of the flan eof the lid with the body, and

means a jacent the runway for interrupting the feed of the can alongsaid runwaywghile acted upon by said instrumentalit'ies.

2. .In a labeling machine, the combination of a rotary paste disk of awidth less than that ofa can to be labeled,-an antifriction support fora can or the like adjacent the feed, and means whereby the can isrotated to complete a revolution on said support whilein contact withsaid paste feed.

3. In a labeling machine, the combination of pasting and labelinginstrumentalities, means for feeding a can or the like relative to saidinstrumentalities, opposed rollers separated from one another andextending transversely of the runway for supporting and interrupting thefeeding movement of the can when adjacent said pastinginstrumentalities, said feeding means causing the can to rotate incontact with the paste applying instrumentalities.

4. In a labeling machine, the combination of apaste carrier, feedingmechanism for a can or the like, a support for a carer the likemounted'adjacent to the. paste carrier, said support being independentof the paste carrier and including antifriction bearings permitting thecan to rotate over the paste carrier,

5-.- In a labeling machine, a runway, a support intermediate the ends ofthe runway for a can or the like, comprising oppositely disposed rollersextending transversely across the runway. and adjacent thereto adaptedto form therebetween a seat or pocket for a can or the like, a rockingsupport for said rollers and means for applying paste to thecan whilepostioned in said seat.

'6. In a, labeling machine, a runway for a can or the like,.a can feed,a support intermediate the ends of the runway for a can comprisingoppositely disposed antifriction devices adapted to form therebetween aseat or pocket for a can or the like, a common supporting means for saidrollers, said means being movable to release the can, and means forapplying paste to the can while positioned-in said seat. 4

7. In a labeling machine, a runway, .a can feed, a support for a can orthe like comprising elongated oppositely disposed members extendingtransversely of the runway and spaced from one, another whereby to.

8. In a labeling machine, the combination of a run way for a can or thelike having disposed transversely thereof separated elongated membersforming therebetween a pocket intermediate the ends of the runwayadapted to receive a can. and interruptits feed along its runway, arotatable disk for applying paste to the can adjacent the head onlythereof while positioned in said pocket, labeling instrumentalities, andmeans for feeding the can from the pocket to said labelinginstrumentalities.

9. In a labeling machine, the combination of a runway for a can or thelike having transversely extending separated rollers forming a receivingpocket intermediate its ends, said pockets having anti-friction rollersadapted to engage a can and interrupt its feed alon its runway, meansfor applying paste to t he can while positioned in said pocket, labelinginstrumentalities, means for releasing the can from said pocket, saidmeans including a rocking support for said rollers, and means forfeeding the can from the pocket to said labeling instrumentalities.

10. In a labeling machine, the combination of a feeding mechanism for acan or the like, pasting and labeling appliances over which the cans areadapted to pass, means adjacent the pasting appliances for constitutinga receiving pocket and for interrupting the feed of the can at thispoint, said means being movable into and out of the path of the can, andmeans for rotating the can while in said pocket in contact with thepasting appliances.

l1.- In a labeling machine, the combination of a runway, labeling andpasting appliances, means for feeding a can along the runway, and a stoparranged in the path of the can to interrupt the feed thereof adjacentthe pasting appliances, said feeding means being adapted to rotate thecan in contact with the pasting mechanism for a complete revolution.

12. In a labeling machine, the combination of a runway, labeling andpasting appliances, means for feeding a can along the runway, and a stoparranged in the path of the can to interrupt the feed thereof adjacentthe pasting appliances, said stop being movable into and out of the pathof the can, and said movement being controlled by a succeeding can.

13. In a labeling machine, the combination of a runway, labeling andpasting appliances, means for feeding a can along the runway, and a stoparranged in the path of the can to interrupt the feed thereof adjacentthe pasting appliances, said stopbeing movable into and out of the pathof the can and constituting a rest or support permitting the can torotate into contact with the pasting appliances, said feeding meansconstituting means for. rotating the canin said pocket in contactwith'the pasting appliances.

14. In a labeling machine, the combination of a runway, labeling andpasting appliances, means for feeding a can or the like along therunway, a stop adjacent the pasting appliances normally in the path ofthe can, and constituting a rest or support for. holding a can frommovement along the runway while in contact with the-pasting appliances,and means for releasing said stop.

15. In a labeling machine, the combination of a runway, labeling andpasting a p pliances, means for feeding a can or the like along therunway, a stop adjacent the pasting appliances normally in the path ofthe can, and means whereby said stop is moved out of the path of the canby a succeeding can.

16. In a labeling machine, the combination of a runway, labeling andpasting appliances, means for feeding a can or the like along therunway, a stop adjacent the pasting appliances normally in the path ofthe can, and means for moving said stop out of the path of the canincluding a trip arranged along the runway and adapted to be actuated bya succeeding can.

17. In a labeling machine, the combination of a runway, labeling andpasting appliances, means for feeding a can along the runway and areleasable stop arranged in the path of the can adjacent the pastingappliances, and spring means -for normally holding the stop,substantially as and for the purpose described.

18. In a labeling machine, the combination of a runway, labeling andpasting appliances, means for feeding a can along the runway, a springpressed stop arranged in the path of the can adjacent the pastingappliances, and means for releasing said stop, substantially as and forthe purpose described.

19. In a labeling machine, the combina. tion of a runway, labeling andpasting appliances, means for feeding a can along the runway, a springpressed stop arranged in the path of the can adjacent the pastingappliances, and means for releasing said stop, said means being actuatedby a succeeding can, substantially as and for the purpose described 20.In a labeling machine, the combination of labeling and pastingmechanisms, a runway for guiding a can or the like to said mechanisms,means for feeding the can along said runway, a stop arranged in the pathof the can adjacent said pasting mechanism for interrupting said feed,and means actuated by a succeeding can for releasing said stop.

21. In a labeling machine, the combination of labeling and pastingmechanisms, a

runway for guiding a can or the like to saidmechanisms, means forfeeding the can along said runwa a stop arranged in the path o f-the canor interrupting said feed at a point adjacent the pasting mechanism,means actuated by-a succeeding can for releasing said stop whereby thefeed of the can may be continued, and spring means for holding the lastmentioned means and the stop in operative positions.

tion of labeling and pasting mechanisms, a runway for guiding a can orthe like to said mechanisms, means for feeding the can along saidrunway, a stop arranged in the path of the can for interrupting saidfeed at a point adjacent the pasting mechanism, means actuated bya'succeeding can for releasing said stop'whereby the feed of the can maybe continued, and a single sprin means for holding said last mentionemeans andthe stop in operative positions.

I tion of pasting and labeling instrumentali- 23. In a labeling machine,the combinaties, a runway for a can or the like, a stop arranged in thepath of the can, adjacent ,4

said pasting instrumentalities, and a trip succeeding can passes, one ofsaid members being ieldable.- I

24. n a labeling machine, the combination of pasting and labelinginstrumentalities, a-rudway for a can or the'like, a stop 22. In alabeling machlne, the combmaarranged in the path of the can adjacentsaid pasting instrumentalities, and trip mechanism for said stepincluding a yieldable member and a relatively fixed rotary member, saidmembers adapted to be engaged by a succeeding can as it passes .be-'

tween members. g

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

OE W. BLAOKSTONE;

Witnesses: n

D. OTTER, L. E. ROBERTS.

